Pole and step therefor



P. KIRCHER AND J. J. GRUENFELD, In. POLE AND STEP THEREFOR Patented Eb. 22, 1921.

AZ by APPLICATION FILED MAYZI. 191a.

UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL KIRCI'IER AND JULIUS J. GRUENFELD, JR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOBS 'IO MASSEY CONCRETE PRODUCTSCORPOEATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPO- RATION or VIRGINIA.

To all whom it may concern: I 1

Be it known that we, PAUnKinonm-i and JULIUS J. GRUnNrn-nn, J r., both citlzens of the United States, and both residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Poles and Steps. Therefor, (Case v#2,) of which the following 1s a specification. l a

This invention relates to poles such, for example, as concrete poles, and it'has for one of its primary objectsthe provision of a pole of this character having mproved means whereby a lineman can climb the pole by the use of the ordinary climbing spurs. The invention also contemplates the disposition of the steps with reference to the pole in such manner that they will present no interference to the use of certain classes of clamp climbing devices which are adapted to embrace the pole and clamp themselves in position thereon when pressure is applied to the clamps. lVe'also propose to so arrange the steps that the poles may be shipped without liability of injury or breakage.

In general, our invention contemplates a simple form of step which, while readily permitting of the insertion of the spurs of a lineman, is nevertheless of such a characterthat it affords little or no assistance to an unauthorized person who attempts to climb thepole.

The foregoing, together with such other objects as may hereinafter appear, are obtained by means of a construction the preferred embodiment of which we have illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a portion of a pole to which our invention has been adapted; Fig. 2 is a side'elevation of a portion of the pole, drawn on an enlarged scale and showing one of the steps; Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line III-III of Fig. '2; Fig. 4: is a section taken. on the line IVIV of Fig. 2; and Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views of parts of the mold form details utilized in forming the step-receiving cavities in the surface of the pole and in holding the steps in'position during the formation of the pole.

Our invention is capable of use in conne'c IOLE AND STEP THEREFOR.

I Specification of Letters Patent Patented Feb, 22, 1921,

Application f led May 21, 1918; Serial No; 235,758.

tion with solid or hollow concrete poles, although in the drawings we have illustrated its application to a hollow type of pole.

Referring now to the drawings, the pole is indicated as a whole by the reference letter A, and it is provided on alternate sides with recesses 7 in which the outer looped ends 8 of the pole steps B, which are enibedded in the body of the pole, are disposed. The recesses 7 have a greater length than width, with all surfaces curved, as indicated in the drawings, so that the'recesses will be self-draining in order to prevent the freezing which might otherwise occur in winter weather. The recesses are also very shallow and their formation is such that the spurs may be readily inserted in the looped ends of the steps, although the recesses themselves will not present a gripping surface by means of which an unauthorized person would be materially assisted in climbing the pole. In this connection it is tov be noted that the looped ends 8 of the steps are substantially flush with the periphery of the pole and have a width just about suflicient to receive the spurs but ins'uflicient to permit of the gripping of the loops by two fingers.

The steps B are preferably composed of wire and are of U-shape with the end portions 9 of the legs 10 bent substantially at right angles as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. The method of positioning and holding the steps during the making of the poles (either by the centrifugal or any other preferred method) will now be described, attention being directed particularly to Figs. 5 and 6. p I, I

In such figures we have shown a portion of the pole form C, such form being preferably composed of metal. Secured'tothe innor surface of the form and on alternate sides thereof, are a plurality of pairs of companion cores 11 and 12 which are adapt- The core members are preferably composed of cast iron and are provided with registering grooves 14 formed in the meeting faces of the cores and adapted to receive the looped end portion 8 of a step and support the step during the formation of the pole. After the pole has been formed, the studs 18 are reembedded in the concrete.

moved, after which the mold O is then stripped from the pole. The core members 11 and 12 can thereafter be readily removed from about the polesteps, leaving the step It will be noted that the loops 8 of the steps are disposed below the middle of the recesses '7 to facilitate the introduction of the linemans spurs.

From the foregoing it will be'clear that we have provided a simple and inexpensive form of pole and step, which is of such a char acter that the steps are protected against injury during shipment; do not interfere with the use of climbing clamps; present no material assistance to an unauthorized person attempting to climb the pole, and are to some extent protected from the weathers Other advantages will be apparent to those familiar with the art.

e claim I l. A pole having longitudinally spaced step recesses in the surface thereof, and

steps having heads which are disposed in said recesses. 2. A pole having longitudinally spaced step recesses in the surface thereof, and

steps having heads which are disposed in said recesses substantially flush with the outer surface of the pole.

3. A pole having longitudinally spaced step recesses formed in the surface thereof, and steps embedded in said pole and having looped ends disposed in said recesses.

4. A pole having a plurality of longitudinally spaced recesses in the surface thereof, and U-shaped steps embedded in the pole with their looped ends projecting laterally in said recesses and having their end portions extending at an angle With respect to the looped ends.

In testimony whereof, We have hereunto signed our names.

PAUL KIRCHER. JULIUS J. GRUENFELD, JR. 

